Kelli competes in fitness model competition at 40

AUSSIE CHAMP: Kelli Blanchfield is looking forward to competing again next year after placing in the top five of the INBA Australian Championships Fitness Model novice category. INSET: Kelli at the Queensland Championships, where she placed third.

She's an Australian Champion fitness model who is in her element when she's competing on stage in her bikini.

The local body sculptor recently competed in her first-ever INBA Australian Championship competition in Canberra where she placed in the top five of her novice category and scored an official ranking.

Kelli, 40, said she never pictured herself standing on stage in a bikini at the age of 40.

"I've been weight training now for about six years and competing has always been something I've wanted to do but never thought I could do it," she said.

"At the end of last year, I made a decision that I was going to stand on stage at 40 and look the best I've ever looked, so with the support of my family and a good coach, that's what I did.

"Five years ago I would have never even worn a bikini to the beach but once I started seeing the results from training and eating healthy, I started to feel more confident about the idea.

"I had my first competition last month in Townsville where I came fifth, I then placed third in the Queensland Championships which qualified me to compete in the Australian Championships last week. I really wanted to experience the high level of the competition but I never thought I'd come close to placing so it was really overwhelming when I heard my name called in the top five."

The mother-of-two said although her decision to compete was a personal one, she wanted to prove that age was no barrier and that you could do anything you put your mind to.

"I think you get to a point in your life where you want to look and feel a certain way and body sculpting is very empowering for me," she said. "I was previously a bit of an introverted person so this has pushed me out of my comfort zone and I'm really proud of myself."